4 Best Speech Pathology Programs in Mississippi
Speech pathology programs in Mississippi lead to rewarding careers. Licensed Speech Therapists earn an impressive average of $92,800 yearly. The job market looks bright for aspiring SLPs with an expected growth of 18% from 2023 to 2033.
Mississippi has 5 CAA-ASHA accredited speech pathology programs. These include 4 master’s programs and 1 doctorate program. The programs help students get their Mississippi speech pathology license. Students learn diagnostic and treatment methods for communication disorders of all types. The graduate programs at Jackson State University, Mississippi University for Women, and the University of Southern Mississippi are great ways to get specialized training. Students work with children and adults who have language and speech disabilities.
Your career goals might point you toward the Master of Science in Communicative Disorders at Jackson State University. The University of Southern Mississippi’s Doctoral program could be another excellent choice with its impressive 96% acceptance rate. This guide will help you find the program that lines up perfectly with your professional dreams.
Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a distinguished Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with one of Mississippi’s premier speech pathology programs. Students can earn a Master of Science in Communicative Disorders through the College of Health Sciences.
Program overview
The Master of Science degree program at Jackson State University gets you ready for professional practice in speech-language pathology. Students complete a 52-semester credit hour curriculum that builds expertise in diagnosing and treating communication disorders while preparing for licensure examinations.
Students learn in small groups of about 20. The program currently has 21 full-time graduate students. Small class sizes let professors give each student individual attention throughout their studies.
JSU speech pathology program’s key features include:
- Research areas in pediatric audiology, aural rehabilitation, typical language development, and literacy
- Faculty with expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong focus on interprofessional practice and education
The program shows strong results with 10 students finishing in the latest reporting period. Students must pass both Graduate Area Comprehensive Examinations and the Praxis II in Speech-Language Pathology to ensure they’re ready for professional certification.
Clinical training and facilities
The Central Mississippi Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic serves as your training ground. This facility plays multiple vital roles in developing speech-language pathologists.
The clinic serves people with various communication disorders in Jackson and nearby counties. Student clinicians work with clients who have speech, language, cognitive, swallowing, and hearing disorders.
The clinic creates opportunities for faculty-student research. Students learn about evidence-based practice and contribute to the field’s knowledge base.
Clinical experiences build competencies across multiple disorder areas and populations. The clinic and academic program work together to create an environment where classroom knowledge turns into practical skills.
Admission requirements
The speech pathology graduate program has a competitive but open admission process. Last year, 35 people applied and 24 received admission offers.
You’ll need these items to apply:
- A CSD undergraduate degree or prerequisite courses
- Three letters of recommendation
- A writing sample/essay
- The university’s online application
Fall admission applications are due March 1st. Early preparation helps your chances for admission and funding opportunities.
Strong academic performance matters. Admitted students’ GPAs range from 3.10 to 3.90. The program values excellence while staying open to qualified candidates.
The program requires full-time enrollment. Its structured curriculum ensures students finish on time and are ready for professional practice.
Tuition and financial aid
The speech pathology program offers affordable tuition rates. For 2024-2025, in-state students pay $8,795 while out-of-state students pay $10,795. These rates are much lower than national averages of $12,201 for in-state and $29,084 for out-of-state tuition.
Food and housing add about $11,066 yearly. Total costs reach $31,431 for in-state and $33,431 for out-of-state students.
JSU’s Financial Aid Office coordinates federal, state, institutional, and private funding. They work to make education available to all qualified students.
Financial aid options include:
- Grants
- Loans
- Employment opportunities
- Scholarships
Recent data shows 7 out of 24 admission offers included funding. The program has federal personnel preparation grants of $1,092,556 and other federal grants of $10,000.
Students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). JSU’s priority deadline is April 15th each year. The Office of Financial Aid takes up to 21 business days to process documents.
JSU graduates’ median federal loan debt for undergraduate degrees is $30,470. Monthly federal loan payments average $323 (10-year term at 5.05% interest). Family income affects loan amounts: families earning $0-$30,000 typically borrow $26,250, those earning $30,001-$75,000 borrow $20,914, and those earning over $75,001 borrow $18,318.
Accreditation and licensure alignment
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) fully accredits JSU’s Communicative Disorders Master of Science program. This accreditation runs from 2022 through 2030, with the next review in August 2029.
CAA accreditation matters because it:
- Shows the program meets high educational standards
- Helps with state licensure requirements
- Ensures the curriculum matches professional practice needs
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits Jackson State University to award baccalaureate, masters, specialists, and doctorate degrees. This institutional accreditation confirms the university’s academic quality.
The curriculum prepares students for Mississippi speech pathology license requirements. Graduates can pursue state licensure and national certification after completing all academic and clinical requirements.
JSU’s speech pathology program offers quality education in communication disorders at an affordable price. Students benefit from strong academics, practical clinical experiences, and dedicated faculty. The program creates successful speech-language pathologists who serve Mississippi and beyond.
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women stands out as an excellent choice for future speech-language pathologists in the state. The university’s Columbus campus offers both undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for professional practice. This historic institution gives students a complete education in speech pathology that balances academic excellence with hands-on clinical experience.
Program overview
The speech-language pathology program takes a two-tier approach. Students start with a Bachelor of Science degree to build foundational knowledge before moving to the Master’s program needed for professional certification.
The undergraduate program lays the groundwork as a pre-professional foundation. Students learn everything about normal and disordered communication to prepare for graduate studies. The program helps majors build strong scientific knowledge that leads to better clinical decisions. Students must complete 124 semester hours of coursework. Classes include phonetics, speech and hearing mechanism’s anatomy and physiology, and language development.
MUW’s Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology takes five full-time semesters over two calendar years, including one summer term. Students need 51 credit hours to graduate – 36 academic hours and 15 hours of clinical practicum. This setup makes shared learning possible through step-by-step academic and practical experiences.
The graduate program’s results speak for themselves. Students have an 86% pass rate on the Praxis examination and a perfect 100% employment rate after graduation. These numbers show how well the program prepares students for their careers.
The program’s standout features include:
- Small student groups for personal attention
- Clinical experiences both on and off campus
- Options for traditional and non-traditional students
Starting fall 2025, qualifying undergraduate speech-language pathology students can get automatic admission to graduate studies. This benefit lets eligible students skip the usual competitive application process.
Clinical training and facilities
The Speech & Hearing Center at 11th Street South and 5th Avenue South is the center for practical training. Graduate students get hands-on experience at this on-campus facility.
The center helps clients with various communication disorders through:
- Speech-language screenings and evaluations
- Therapy for articulation disorders
- Language intervention for children and adults
- Voice therapy
- Fluency (stuttering) treatment
- Auditory processing intervention
- Literacy programs and dyslexia services
The center’s supervision model sets it apart. Graduate students work directly with faculty who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) or Audiology (CCC-A). This setup ensures clients get quality care while students learn from experienced professionals.
Students also work in schools and medical settings. These different experiences help graduates develop skills that work in many professional settings.
Admission requirements
MUW’s graduate speech-language pathology program uses a selective admission process. The university processes applications through CSDCAS (Centralized Application Service for Communication Sciences and Disorders).
Standard admission needs:
- A minimum 3.0 overall GPA from undergraduate studies
- GRE scores less than five years old
- Three recommendation letters from speech-language pathology professors
- A statement explaining why you want to become a speech-language pathologist
- MMR and Hepatitis B immunization records
Students with degrees in other fields must finish seven prerequisite courses:
- Phonetics
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Introduction to Audiology
- Development of Normal Speech and Language
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Strategies in Therapy for the Hearing Impaired
- Neurology
Applications are due February 15th for fall admission. Students should start preparing early.
The new automatic admission path starts fall 2025. MUW undergraduate speech-language pathology students need:
- Four straight semesters toward a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology at MUW
- Overall GPA of 3.70 or higher
- Good academic standing
- B or higher in each SLP prerequisite course
- Three MUW SLP Department faculty endorsements
Tuition and financial aid
MUW’s speech pathology programs offer budget-friendly tuition. Part-time undergraduates pay $353.00 per credit hour, while full-time students pay $4,373.50 each semester. These rates apply to all students since MUW doesn’t charge extra for out-of-state residents.
A year at MUW costs about $22,879, including tuition, housing, meals, books, and other expenses. Your actual costs might differ based on personal needs.
WCONNECT lets students:
- Check term balances
- Pay with cards or e-checks
- Set up payment plans
- Give parents/guardians account access
MUW’s financial aid includes scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study options. Students get substantial help:
- 56% receive federal grants averaging $6,897
- 26% get state/local grants averaging $2,393
- 72% receive institutional grants averaging $5,535
- 59% use loans averaging $7,128
Graduate speech-language pathology students can finish the program for $10,000 flat-rate tuition, which covers improvement fees and course fees. This flat rate helps students plan their expenses better.
Accreditation and licensure alignment
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fully accredits MUW’s Master of Science program. The program earned its latest accreditation in Spring 2019, which runs through Spring 2027.
CAA accreditation matters because it:
- Shows the program meets quality standards
- Qualifies graduates for professional certification
- Lines up with state licensure requirements
Graduates meet all requirements for:
- ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
- Mississippi Department of Health licensure
- Mississippi Department of Education teacher licensure
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredits MUW to award associate through doctorate degrees. The Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (MCCA) authorizes the university, which also participates in State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
MUW’s speech pathology program is a great choice for Mississippi students. Strong academic programs and extensive clinical experience prepare graduates to help diverse populations with their communication needs throughout the state and beyond.
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) provides outstanding training through its Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Students learn to help people with speech, language, and hearing disabilities. Ole Miss shapes future speech-language pathologists in the state by combining practical experience with theoretical knowledge.
Program overview
Ole Miss provides an educational path for future speech-language pathologists through undergraduate and graduate programs. The Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a pre-professional degree that builds foundational knowledge about communication disorders. Students discover the anatomy and physiology of speech, language, and auditory processes. They also get hands-on experience with assessment and management of various disorders.
The undergraduate program has two emphasis areas:
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Audiology
Students can shape their education based on their career interests. The program needs 124 credit hours and takes four years to complete. Ole Miss’s student organizations add unique learning opportunities:
- The National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter helps the community through food and toy drives, free tutoring, and advocacy for causes like apraxia and autism awareness
- Handband, a unique student group that combines music with sign language, performs at banquets, conferences, football games, and local assisted living facilities
Students interested in American Sign Language can pursue a minor in ASL Interpreting to become qualified interpreters for the Deaf. This 15-hour undergraduate minor has three 4-credit courses and a 3-credit practicum.
Clinical training and facilities
Clinical training at Ole Miss focuses on putting theory into practice. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders creates independent thinkers and problem-solvers. Students learn to help people with communication and swallowing disabilities through their curriculum and hands-on training.
CSD 497: Methods & Associate Licensure in SLP stands out in the clinical preparation sequence. This course provides:
- Simple knowledge about speech language and hearing services in various settings (educational and medical)
- Understanding of speech-language pathology assistants’ roles and responsibilities
- Treatment strategies and clinical documentation implementation
- Training in accountability, ethics, and confidentiality
- Professional communication skills for working with diverse populations
Students must complete CSD 316 (Language and Learning Disorders), CSD 301 (Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders), and CSD 351 (Basic Audiology) before taking this course.
Faculty members guide and mentor students during their clinical experiences. This approach helps students build professional skills with quality feedback.
Admission requirements
Ole Miss’s graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders are competitive. The Graduate School processes applications after the academic department’s recommendation and credential evaluation.
You’ll need to submit:
- Transcripts from your bachelor’s degree institution and other colleges attended
- Standardized test scores if required
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose about your interests and study areas
- A non-refundable $60 application fee
The Communication Sciences and Disorders program doesn’t require GRE scores. This makes the program more accessible to qualified candidates who might struggle with standardized tests.
The program looks at more than just academic credentials. They consider resource availability, faculty capacity, and how well your interests match the program’s strengths.
Application deadlines change by semester. You can check your application status online with your application number and birth date.
Tuition and financial aid
Ole Miss’s tuition is an investment in your future. The Financial Aid Office shares cost details to help with planning, including direct university bills and other expenses like transportation.
Graduate program costs for two semesters include:
- Tuition/Fees: $10,422
- Housing/Food: $13,733
- Books/Supplies: $2,388
- Transportation: $4,053
- Personal expenses: $3,600
- Medical insurance: $4,961
The total estimated cost for two semesters reaches $39,157. Three semesters cost $56,257.
Ole Miss offers several financial aid options. Top applicants who apply by February 1st can get Graduate Assistantships from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. These include:
- 75% tuition scholarship
- Full nonresident fee scholarship
- $250 per semester stipend
Graduate Assistants work ten hours weekly with faculty or staff. They might help with administration, teaching, or research projects.
The Graduate School also gives $3,500 summer stipends to students completing master’s theses through the Summer Graduate Research Assistantship Program.
Accreditation and licensure alignment
The Master of Science program holds accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This shows the program meets professional practice standards.
After completing the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you can:
- Complete your clinical fellowship year
- Take national examinations
- Get national certification
The curriculum matches Mississippi’s state regulations for speech pathology licensure. Your studies combine coursework and clinical practicum hours to meet requirements for:
- The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
- Mississippi state licensure
- Educational credentials for school-based practice
The MS in CSD graduate degree requires:
- 61 credit hours minimum (46 hours of academic coursework and 15 hours of graduate practicum)
- 400 clinical clock hours (25 observation hours and 375 hands-on hours)
Ole Miss’s strong academic program, clinical opportunities, and accreditation prepare graduates for successful careers in communication disorders in a variety of settings throughout Mississippi and beyond.
University of Southern Mississippi
Image Source: The University of Southern Mississippi
Southern Mississippi’s speech-language pathology program is one of the state’s oldest, with more than 50 years of history helping and treating people from many backgrounds. Students get both strong academic training and hands-on clinical practice to become skilled speech pathologists who serve Mississippi communities.
Program overview
USM’s Master of Science program in speech-language pathology has a five-semester structure that adds up to 60 credit hours. The curriculum blends classroom learning with practical experience to prepare students for many professional settings.
Each year, the program accepts only 24 students. This small class size lets students get personal attention throughout their educational experience. The limited enrollment helps build strong relationships with faculty and classmates while making the most of learning opportunities.
Key features of the USM program include:
- Strong academic coursework that builds writing and oral communication skills
- Research techniques and their applications
- Three on-campus clinical experiences plus two off-campus externships
- Nearly 100% employment rate for graduates
Students work with clients of all ages who have different disorders. After graduation, they’re ready to take the Praxis II examination, which leads to professional certification.
Clinical training and facilities
The Speech-Language-Audiology Clinic is the heart of USM’s clinical education. This clinic has served the community for more than 50 years. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certified faculty members guide graduate students who help people from various backgrounds.
The clinic provides budget-friendly assessment and treatment services for many communication disorders, including:
- Speech sound disorders/delays
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Language disorders/delays
- Aphasia and apraxia
- Fluency (stuttering) disorders
- Swallowing disorders
Students might also train at The Children’s Center for Communication Development and The DuBard School for Language Development. These special facilities let students learn about specific populations.
The final two semesters include required off-campus work in both schools and adult medical settings. These experiences are a great way to get ready for jobs in early intervention programs or skilled nursing facilities.
Admission requirements
Getting into USM’s speech-language pathology graduate program isn’t easy. About 150 people apply each year for 24-25 spots. Applications must reach by February 1st to be considered for fall admission.
You’ll need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders/Speech and Hearing Science
- Transcripts from all attended colleges/universities
- Statement of purpose (limited to two pages)
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores (sometimes waived, like in 2021)
International students must also have a minimum TOEFL/iBT score of 79.
The 2024 class shows how selective the program is. Admitted students scored:
- GRE-Quantitative: 143 (range 132-151)
- GRE-Verbal: 147 (range 130-169)
- GRE-Analytical Writing: 4.1 (range 2-5)
- GPA: 3.82 (range 3.6-4.0)
Tuition and financial aid
The 2025-2026 academic year costs $10,394 for in-state students and $12,394 for out-of-state students. Other expenses include:
- Housing and meals: $12,368 for off-campus students
- Transportation: $1,800
- Books and supplies: $926
- Personal expenses: $3,554
The total comes to $29,428 for in-state and $31,428 for out-of-state students living off-campus.
Mississippi offers help through the Speech-Language Pathologist Forgivable Loan (SLPL) program. This covers tuition and required fees at public schools. Students can have their loans forgiven by working as licensed speech-language pathologists in Mississippi public or charter schools – one year of work for each year of funding.
Accreditation and licensure alignment
USM’s Master of Science program has full accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This shows the program meets national standards for professional training.
Graduates can get ASHA certification, which they need for a Mississippi speech pathology license. Students planning to work in other states should check with those states’ licensing boards about their requirements.
USM’s preparation, strong clinical reputation, and accreditation help graduates build successful careers treating communication disorders in Mississippi and beyond.
Pick Your Master’s in SLP Today
Your professional future starts with picking the right speech pathology program. Mississippi has four accredited programs that each bring something special to the table. Jackson State University shines with budget-friendly tuition and focused research areas. Mississippi University for Women makes things simple with streamlined admission pathways. The University of Mississippi lets students join unique groups like Handband. The University of Southern Mississippi brings over 50 years of clinical service to the table.
These programs give you real-world experience through supervised practice with patients from all backgrounds. You’ll work with actual clients and learn everything you need to know about the field. The mix of hands-on training and classroom work really prepares you to get your professional certification and state license.
The field pays well in Mississippi too. Speech pathologists earn around $92,800 yearly, and jobs should grow by 18% through 2033. That’s a great return on your education investment. The programs are within reach thanks to scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness options that help cover the costs.
Your path to becoming a speech-language pathologist looks bright in Mississippi. Any of these schools will equip you with the skills you need. You’ll make a real difference in people’s lives all across the state and beyond through dedicated learning and clinical practice.